Acupuncture can be helpful for those wishing to conceive, or who may be experiencing difficulties. It is also great for women wishing to maintain a healthy pregnancy, and it can help with back pain, headaches, sickness and giving up smoking amongst others.

Fertility

Studies have shown that acupuncture can help the conception process. This is becuase using acupuncture can:

A recent study published in the British Medical Journal concluded that acupuncture can help the sucess of IVF; "current preliminary evidence suggests that acupuncture given with embryo transfer improves rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation".

Preganancy

Acupuncture can also help support pregnancy, by relieving morning sickness, lower back pain and by also giving the mother-to-be emotional support through a time of transition and new life.

Evidence

The following are some of the research papers that have looked at acupuncture and fertility.

Manheimer, E; Zhang, G; Udoff, L; Haramati, A; Langenberg, P; Berman, BM; Bouter, LM; (2008) Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysis BMJ (2008) 336:517–518

R; Chung P.H; Rosenwaks, Z (2002) Role of acupuncture in the treatment of female infertility Fertility and sterility 2002, vol. 78, no6, pp. 1149-1153 

Magarelli, P.C; Cridennda, D.K and M. Cohen, M (2004) Acupuncture and good prognosis IVF patients: Synergy Fertility and Sterility Volume 82, Supplement 2, September 2004, Pages S80-S81

Pei, J; Strehler, E; Noss, U; Abt, M; Piomboni, P; Baccetti, B and Sterzik, K (2005) Quantitative evaluation of spermatozoa ultrastructure after acupuncture treatment for idiopathic male infertility Fertility and Sterility, Vol. 84, No. 1, July 2005

Smith, C; Crowther, C and Beilby, J (2002) Acupuncture To Treat Nausea and Vomiting in Early Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial Birth Volume 29 Issue 1, Pages 1 - 9

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